PRO FOOTBALL

PRO FOOTBALL;Murrell Sprints and Jets Sputter Along to a Victory

By GERALD ESKENAZI

Published: November 27, 1995

SEATTLE, Nov. 26—
Holding on to a rare first-half lead, the Jets staggered to an inelegant 16-10 victory over the Seahawks today. But when a team has to wait this long to produce its third victory of the season, who cares about style points?

In fact, it has taken this long for the Jets to produce their first 100-yard rusher of the year in Adrian Murrell. He did it today behind two rookies on the offensive line starting for the first time. And it was an even longer wait for Aaron Glenn, who finally nailed the first interception of his 27-game, two-year career.

On good teams, 100-yard games and interceptions are what running backs and cornerbacks do.

So the Jets, who know where they are, hardly gloated in lifting their record to 3-9. Rather, there was an "at last" quality to the locker room as they snapped a three-game losing streak after possessing their first half-time lead since the third game of the season, against expansion Jacksonville.

Even Boomer Esiason, who held his fingers an inch apart after the game to show how close he had once been to losing his starting job, seemed barely satisfied as he plays out his own little drama, his future uncertain. This was his second game back. He missed four with a concussion, then was to back up Glenn Foley, whose season ended in injury.

"I want to keep my goals to myself," Esiason said after completing 19 of 34 passes for 149 yards and 1 interception. "Gain some self-respect. I was this close to not playing as a New York Jet and I want to make the most of the opportunity."

Certainly, Murrell did. The slithery runner with the slippery hands held on today. With his 116 yards on 24 carries, he generated the imposing game he has always seemed capable of. And he did it behind a line that had first-time starters at center (John Bock) and right guard (Matt O'Dwyer, playing for Carlton Haselrig, who stayed home for what the team described as "personal business"). Murrell even was flawless in hanging on to the 7 passes thrown to him for another 37 yards, in contrast with his 11 drops through the first 11 games. "There are times I want to make something happen so bad," he said. "I get cranked up. I'm looking beyond the play. But I told myself today to relax."

He also was under enormous pressure because the Jets' only other experienced running back, Ronald Moore, left the game early with a concussion. Moore was to have been in a considerable number of plays, especially on passing downs. Murrell was forced to be in all the time.

Glenn, meanwhile, was a big-play performer as a former first-round pick is supposed to be. He was a spearhead as the Jets forced the Seahawks into turnovers on their first three possessions. The problem for the Jets was the offense. It came away with only a touchdown during that stretch, a 2-yard run by Murrell after the Seahawks lost the ball on a fumbled snap between Jim Sweeney and Rick Mirer. Luckily for the Jets, Nick Lowery later added three field goals.

Glenn's interception came as the Seahawks moved into Jet territory and Mirer was looking for Chris Warren. Glenn stepped in at the 30 and snared the ball. He was tackled immediately, but his jubilant teammates surrounded and hugged him, and he cradled the ball.

"It was a long time coming," he said. "I needed it so I could get the media off my back." But he really has been more concerned about his friends on the team. They needled him about the lack of an interception all season.

Glenn's interception had little of the drama of his next possession. On the following Seahawk drive he snapped up a fumble by Warren, who had been hit by Bobby Houston on the Jets' 47.

For the next 16 seconds, Glenn darted left and right and sometimes forward, eluding grasping hands. Finally, he was able to make 20 yards.

Although indoors, with the temperature kept at 68 degrees, the run dehydrated Glenn. He had to leave the game for intravenous treatments.

"I did a whole lot of running," he said.

He returned, though, and came up with another big play that might have preserved the victory.

The Jets, who could get only a second-half field goal after leading by 13-0 by halftime, were reeling in the closing minutes. The Seahawks had narrowed the edge to 16-10 and had just moved past midfield behind four straight completions by Mirer. On third-and-3, Mirer sought out Brian Blades, his top receiver.

Along came Glenn, leaping, to bat away the pass. He stood in front of the Seahawks' bench, gesturing defiantly. "I've got some friends on that team," he said. "Guys I went to school with."

On fourth down, Mirer threw another incomplete pass to Blades and the Jets took over with 3 minutes 1 second remaining and ran out the clock behind Murrell's running and receiving.

"Good clubs win in the fourth quarter," Coach Rich Kotite said. He didn't mean the Jets are a good club yet, but perhaps they learned something.

"Today was an indication, a slim hope of what the future might hold," said Esiason, but not in a very loud voice.

EXTRA POINTS

The Jets offered no details as to why CARLTON HASELRIG was allowed to stay home, nor would Coach RICH KOTITE say when he would return. Haselrig was believed to have a court date in Bayonne, N.J., on Monday stemming from a recent arrest when he was charged with becoming abusive with police officers. He also missed a recent mandatory National Football League drug test, saying he thought he didn't have to take it during the Jets' bye week. . . . MATT O'DWYER, the club's second-round draft pick, who started for Haselrig, was unhappy about three penalties he was called for. Two on consecutive plays wiped out a 10-yard run and 21-yard completion. . . . HUGH DOUGLAS, the team's leading sack producer with 10, sat out the second half after suffering a sprained ankle. He said he did not know his status. TONY CASILLAS suffered a knee injury, while WILBER MARSHALL, suffering from a stomach virus, did not dress. . . . When NICK LOWERY was wide with a 50-yard field-goal attempt in the opening quarter, it was only his third miss in 15 attempts. The first was a 51-yarder on opening day, and then he failed on a 39-yarder on a bad snap.

Photo: The Jets' Adrian Murrell, who rushed for more than 100 yardsyesterday, barreling for a touchdown against the Seahawks during the first quarter. (Associated Press for The New York Times)